Pilot seat



A g- 1950 R. HEFFERNAN ET AL 2,519,963

PILOT SEAT Filed Jan. 30, 1947 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTORS Roben C.Heffernun Fred N. Dlckermon fi. ATTORNEY Aug. 22, 1950 R. c. HEFFERNANETAL 2,519,963

PILOT SEAT Filed Jan. so, 1.9.47 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 Fig. 2

INVENTORS Rober! C. Hefi'ernun Frd N. Dlckermcm- Z3. WW ATTORNEY 8- 1950R. c. HEFFERNAN ET AL 2,519,963

PILOT SEAT 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Jan. 30. 1947 INVENTORS Roben C,Hefferncm 7 Fred N. Dlckermcn 077. HWWATTORNEY 1950 R. c. HEFFERNANETAL 2,519,963

PILOT SEAT Fii'ed Jan. 30, 1947 1 e Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTORS Roberi C.Heffernan Fred N. Dnckermon- 0 -5; ATTORNEY g- 22, 1950 R. c. HEFFERNANETAL 2,519,963

PILOT SEAT Filed Jan. 30, 1947 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 Roberr C. Heffernon FredN. Dlckermon 4% a M ATTORNEY Patented Aug. 22, 1950 PILOT SEATRobert).Hefiernam-Gardcn City,, N. Y., and Fred N. Dickerma-n,

Nichols,

Conn., assignors to United Aircraft Corporation, East Hartford, Corinnacorporation of Delaware Application January 30, 1947, SerialN0.'I-'725,23.8

4 Claims. (01. l.,5.51l'8) This invention relates to "ad ustable seatand particularly to :a pilotssea for a.-fi 1 a "plane.

Physical ifatigue during combat is. potentially, (as great a danger tothe fighter pilot as the fire :power of the enemy. {It is accordinglyhighly desirable to provide-a-seat which is adaptable to the pilot'sparticular :stature and which will en- .able the pilot to relaxincomjfort until he arrives :at the combat area.

An ob ect of this invention is to provide a .pilots seat which enablesthe pilot to :position .himself for maintaining maximumvisibilitydurling takeoff and landing, and to place himself in :the bestposition for using fhi-S =-gunsight during :combat, while also enablinghim to adjust his .seat to permit him to cruise in comfort.

Aiurtherobject of .theinvention is to provide a seat which is adjustableto suit .the statureof different pilots.

More specifically, it .is an object .of theinvere- .tion to provideimproved mechanism for independently adjusting and measuring .separateback and bottom seat portions, .while also providing mechanism forbodily .adusting :andsecuring the ,seat vertically in .the variousadjusted positions .of .the back .and bottom portions.

.A further .obiect of the invention is the ,provision of convenientlylocated mechanism .b which the p o can makeany of the above adjustmentswhile sitting in the. seat andby which the seat portions can 'be lockedin any adjusted position and released at the will of thepilot,

These .and other objects ,of the invention will "become apparent fromthe following detailed. de .scription of the accompanying drawings which*illustrate one embodiment of the invention.

In these drawings:

Fig. 1 is a side view of a seat embodying the "invention installed in afighter airplane.

Fig. 2 -is a perspective View of the seat of Fig. "1 looking forwardfrom the right hand side. 7

Fig. '3 is a side view of the seat adjusted to "medium height with theback portion vertical and the bottom portion h'orizontal.

Fig. 4 is a-view similar 'to '31o0king at the other side of the seat.

15 ;is a view similar {to Fig. 3 showing the seat in its lowermost:positin with ithe back and the bottom portions "tilted.

6-is a somewhat diagrammatic view of the mechanism .-for locking theback of the seat in -varfious positions of angular adjustment.

Rig. is a detailed view showing the pilot operated mechanism for-.contnol1ing the locking mechanism of Fig.6.

Fig. 8 is :a somewhat diagrammatic view of the pilot controlledmechanism .forreleasing andiser .curingthe seatraising and loweringmechanism.

Referring to Fig. 1, the seat embodying this invention, generallyindicated :by the letter A is installed in -.the:eockpit li) of afighter airplane 12, ;having the usual windshield M, transparentcanopyfl-firandpilotscontrol stick I8. Theseat is carried by verticalfixed supports '20 and .22. These may comprise .a part of the .armourplate structure or the .pilots protection, and are car ,riedby fixedframe members-of the airplane, one or which is shown at .24.

--Seat A comprises essentially a backportion 2.6, a b0ttom portion .28,a pivoted frame structure generally indicated at :38 for adjustablyconnecting the back and bottom seat portions to sup.- pont .22 .andsuitablecontrol mechanism operable by the pilot for adjusting the backand bottom portions either individually or as a unit. The .bottom .seatportion 28, which is of the bucket type, is adapted to house theparachute pack, wiungle kit, and -various=other units (not shown) which\the pilot carries with :him when he is re- ;quired to bail out of theairplane, :these packs icomprising in ,part the upholstery ;of the seat.

The ,pivoted :frame .30 includes an upper genlerally horizontalshelfslike .member 32 (Fig. :2

pivoted at its rear edge on bolts 34 Imounted :in brackets 35 whichere-bolted to the face .Of support-Z2. Alower shelf-like member 38,which :is ;-parallel with member 32, is pivoted at its rear edge-onbolts =48 mounted in brackets '42 similar to the brackets 36 and whichare secured to support 22 at points spaced below the brackets .36. The:forward edges of frame members and .38 :are pivotally connected attheir lateral extremitieshy vertical links-M the oppositeends of whichare pivoted on pivot pins 46 and A8 mounted .in suitable forwardlyextending brackets 49.carried:by members 32 and 38. It willlbje noted:that .the pivoted frame :35 in conjunction. with the support .22,eomprises a parallelogram :of .pivotally connected members of which thesupport zz-comprises a fixed member. Conselquently movement of members'82 andBB about their pivots 34 and '40 results in a-generally verticalmovement of the pivot pins and E8.

The ,back portion 26 of the seat comprises .a enerally :reetangularirameincluding the transverse upper drame member :59 '(Fig. .2) and theparallel side frame members :52, the "lower bifuricated ends of whichare pivoted on the pivot 13111845 of the pivoted frame '30. The upper@end of the :backkportion 26 is adjustably supported relative to fixedsupport :29 by a tubular rod 54 pivotally connected by bolt 56 at itsforward end with a bracket 58 carried by the frame member 50 midwaybetween the side members 52 and extended aft through an opening 53 insupport 20. The aft portion of rod 54 is slidable through a tubularmember 60 (Fig. 6) mounted on tubular trunnions 62 in a bracket 64carried by the aft face of support 20, a stop pin 66 being provided inthe extended end of rod 54 which engages the member 60 and determinesthe most forward position of the seat back. The rod 54 is provided witha plurality of horizontal holes 68 spaced along its length which areadapted to receive a locking pin I slidable in one of the tubulartnunnions 62. Pin I0 is pivotally connected at I2 to operating link 14pivoted at 16 on a laterally extended bracket 18' carried by bracket 64.The pin 10 is constantly biased for movement into any one of the holes68 which may be in register with the pin by compression spring 80 whichacts between the bracket 64 and the forward end of link 14. Pin I0 isadapted to be withdrawn from locking position by means of a cable 82which is connected to link 14 at 84 and extends over a pulley 86 carriedon extension 88 (Fig. 2) of bracket 84.

The withdrawal of pin I0 by the cable 82 is efiected by pilot operatedmechanism shown most clearly in Fig. 7. This mechanism includes a pairof toggle links 96 and 92 pivoted at 94 and 06 respectively on asupporting plate 98 which is extended fore and aft through apassage 99in support 22 and is fixed to a wall of said passage. at their adjacentends by a pivot pin I00 which moves in a slot I02 in the plate 98. Thefree end of link 90 is pivotally connected to cable 82 at I02 and thefree end of link 92 is provided with a rod-like extension I04 on which ahandle I06 is telescopically received, a spring (not' shown) beingprovided in the handle for urging a pin I08 carried by the latter intoterminal notches H0 in a slot H2 in which the pin I88 is received. Itwill be evident that the entry of pin I08 into notches II 0 looks thehandle I06 in either of its extreme positions while a slight pressureaxially against the end of handle I08 will release the pin I08permitting movement of the handle.

A bungee spring I I4 (Fig. constantly biases the rod 54 in a directionto move the back portion of the seat forward against the back of theoccupant whenever the pin 10 is withdrawn by movement of handle I06 fromlooking engagement with one of the holes 68. The seat portion 26 ismoved against the bias of the spring when released by force exerted bythe occupant of the seat against the back of the seat.

The seat bottom 28 comprises a frame including a front edge member II 6(Fig. 2) and side edge members II 8, the rear ends of which arebifurcated and are pivotally mounted on the pivots 46 by which they arepivotally connected to t e frame 30, this generally U-shaped frameconstituting the support for the bucket I of the seat bottom. The bottom28 is adapted to be adjusted about its pivots 46 into various angularpositions by means of an extensible strut at each side of the seatincluding threaded rods I22 (Fig. 5) which are pivoted on pivot pins 48of the frame at their aft ends and telescoping threaded sleeves I24which are pivoted at their forward ends on brackets I25 clamped to theside edge members II8. Said sleeves I24 are rotatable by a crank I26mounted in the bracket The toggle links are connected A I25 at the rightfront corner of the seat bottom. The crank carries a handle I28 and abeveled gear I30 which meshes with a corresponding beveled gear I32 onthe sleeve I24 of the righthand strut. The strut at the opposite side ofthe seat is extended in unison with the strut at the right-hand side ofthe seat by means of a chain I34 (Fig. 2) running over a pair of equaldiameter sprockets I36 and I38 carried by the sleeves I24. It will beevident that the vertical links 44 of the pivoted frame 30, the sidemember II8 of the seat bottom and the struts comprising members I22 andI24 comprise a triangular linkage of approximately right triangular formin the down position of the seat in which the strut is collapsed, andthat extension of the strut will result in elevating the front edge H8of the seat bottom from the position shown in Fig. 3 to the positionshown in Fig. 5 or any intermediate position desired. It will be furtherevident that the seat bottom will remain fixed in any position ofadjustment due to the non-reversible nature of the threaded connectionbetween rods I22 and sleeves I24.

Means are also provided for raisin and lowering the entire seat bodilyand for holding it in a plurality of vertically adjusted positions. Thismeans includes a horizontal shaft I40 (Fig. 2) mounted in brackets I42and I44 carried by support 22 and extending from the right-hand side ofthe seat transversely to about the center of the seat. Shaft I40 carriesa long right angular extension I46 which lies alongside the right-handside of the seat and carries at its forward end an upstanding shaft I 48terminating in a handle I 50. The sh t I40 and extension I46 are tubularand the shaft I48 is mounted for rotation about its longitudinal axis inthe extension I 46 for purposes hereinaft r described.

The bracket I42 is disposed slightly beyond the mid-center position ofthe seat, and at the midcenter position an arm I52 fixed to shaft I40 ispivotally connected to the lower end of a link I54, the upper end ofwhich is pivoted to a bracket I56 and mounted on the bottom of shelf 32at the center of the seat. It will be evident that by the rotation ofshaft I40 the pivoted frame 30 which com rises a parallelogram of linkswill be raised and lowered to raise and lower the pivot points 46 and 48of the frame an equal distance, thus to raise and lower both the backportion and the bottom portion of the seat as a unit regardless of theirindividual positions of adjustment.

The means for holding the seat in its various positions of verticaladjustment comprises telescopin linkage dispo ed at each side of theseat and pivotally connected at its opposite ends to pivot points 40 and46 of frame 30. Each of these linkages includes an outer tubular memberI58 having a horizontal hole I therein (Fig. 8) and an inner rod memberI60 having a plurality of horizontal pin receiving holes I52 along itslength,

each of which registers with hole I59 in member I58 in a differentposition of adiustment of frame 30. The tubular member I 58 of theright-hand unit carries a bracket I64 on which is pivoted at I 68 a linkI66 parallel with said telescoping linkage. The link I 66 carries a pinI 10 which extends through the hole I59 in tubular member I58 and isadapted to enter into successive holes I62 in the various ad ustedpositions of the frame as the latter is moved from the full up positionof the seat in Fig. 3 into the full down position shown in Fig. 5. Thelower end of like I68 has a cable I12 pivotally connected to it at I14and this cable extends bver a pulley IIB :(Elglfi) mounted :adja centthe open end of tubular shaft I40 :andbver a-second pulley I 18 whichismoun'ted at :the dunetion of tubular shaft t'll :and tubular extension1% on :a pivot I88. The .lzxa'leleW 12i extends lover pulley iIIG,through shaft I88, nver pulley I1 8, through tubular extension I and issecured by a-f astening I 82 to the lower end of shaft 448.. It will beevident that rotation .of :the shaft M8 about its longitudinal axis :by.means of the ballshaped handle I50 will cause the cable I12 to movethelin'k I66 in a direction to withdraw the Pin I10 -in--any of thepositions of adjustment f the handle I50. Also the upper end of the linkI58 is connected by a transverse rod I84 to the lower end of a link I88pivoted at I88 on a bracket I89 carried by the tubular member I58 of thetelescoping linkage at the opposite side of the seat. Link I86 carries apin I90 similar to pin I'Ill which passes through hole I59 in tubularmember I58 of the left-hand unit and enters into corresponding holes I62in member I60. A spring I92 connected between the pivot point I88 and anintermediate point on rod I84 serves to bias both of the pins I90 and Iinto locking position.

A pair of tension springs I94 are provided for counterbalancing theweight of a pilot sitting in the seat so that the amount of forcenecessary for him to exert against the handle I50 to raise the seat orto lower the seat is only the difference between the pull of thesesprings and his weight. As shown most clearly in Fig. 5, the upper endsof the springs I94 are connected to brackets I96 carried by support 22,and the lower end of these springs are connected to lugs I98 secured tothe top of shelf 32 just back of the forward edge thereof.

In using the seat the pilot adjusts the seat into the best position forvisibility during take-01f, which may vary somewhat with the stature ofthe particular pilot. After take-off he can lower the seat a little andadjust the bottom and back portions into a more comfortable positionwhile he plots his course. Having finished this procedure he is able totilt the back of his seat all the way aft, allowin it to carry theweight of his back pack. He can also tilt the bottom seat portion fullyup and rest his feet on the top of his rudder pedals, thus enabling himto travel long distances without great fatigue. Upon nearing his missionthe pilot can tilt his bottom seat portion fully down and his back seatportion fully forward and adjust the height of the seat to place him inthe best position for using his gunsight. He can either lock the seatback in a given position by moving the handle 986 into the upper notchIII) (Fig. 7) or he can leave the seat hack free if he wants it to movefore and aft under the action of spring IId with no restriction bymoving handle I06 from the position shown in Fig. 7 downwardly asindicated by the arrow.

It will be evident that by this invention a fully adjustable seat hasbeen provided by which the occupant is enabled, not only to raise andlower the seat to suit his stature or as required for differentconditions encountered during flight, but also one which enables theoccupant to adjust both the back and the bottom portion of the seat inany position of vertical adjustment thereof all while occupying the seatand with a minimum of effort. It will further be evident that a seat hasbeen provided in which following adjustment the various elements of theseat are held rigidly in adjusted position.

While only one embodiment of the invention has beensh-own in the:drawings and described, Flt will be evident that various changes may:bemadc in the .const-ruction and the arrangement of the parts'='withoutdeparting from the scope of the invention as defined by the claims.

is:.,-. V 1. In an adjustable seat, a support, fixed-"pivots carried by.saidsupport, a back portion including upper and lower movable pivots,link means operatively connecting said back portion to said fixedpivots; a bottom portion operatively .conne'otedtosaid back portion atsaid-movable pivots including an extensible arm connected to one of saidlower pivots, means operable by a seat occupant for extending said armto fixedly adjust said bottom portion relative to said back portionwhereby said bottom portion is pivoted about said movable pivots,rotatable control means adjacent said arm extending means andoperatively connected to said link means for pivoting said movablepivots about said fixed pivots to vertically adjust the seat wherebysaid bottom portion maintains its relative position with said backportion, and lock means interconnecting one of said fixed pivots and oneof said movable pivots for fixing the vertical adjustment of said seatincludin a lock member operatively connected to said control means andmovable to a disengaged position in response to rotational movements ofsaid control means.

2. A device according to claim 1 wherein said control means includes arotatable horizontal shaft terminating in a forwardly disposed controlarm, said arm having a rotatable handle thereon, a cable system carriedin part by said shaft and arm and having operative connections to saidhandle for unlocking said lock member, and means for biasing said lockmember to locked position.

3. In an adjustable seat, a support, fixed pivots carried by saidsupport, a back portion including a first movable pivot carried thereby,link means connecting one of said fixed pivots to said first movablepivot, a bottom portion operatively connected to said first movablepivot and carrying second movable pivot, said bottom portion includingmeans for moving said bottom about said first movable pivot in adjustedrelation with said back portion, means for adjustably moving said backportion about said first movable pivot, and control means operable by aseat occupant for moving said movable pivots each about one of saidfixed pivots and in synchronous relation to vertically adiust said seatincluding operative connections between said movable pivots, whereby theadjusted positions of said back and bottom portions are maintained.

4. In an adjustable seat, a support, back and bottom portions mounted onsaid support for vertical adjustment as a unit includin pairs of fixedand movable pivots, telescoping members interconnecting a pair of fixedand movable pivots, a horizontal shaft mounted on said support includinga toggle link operatively connected to said back and bottom portions,means for rotating said shaft and a portion of said toggle link toextend said telescoping members and vertically adjust said seat, meansfor locking said seat in various positions of vertical adjustment, aforward extension on said shaft terminating in a rotatable handle, meansfor operatively connecting said handle with said seat locking meanswhereby rotation of said handle controls the unlocking of What it isdesired :to secure by Letters Patent 7 c said seat, and biasing meansfor controlling the Number locking of said seat. 514,830 ROBERT C.HEF'FERNAN. 519,883 FRED N. DICKERMAN. 1,713,034 5 2,118,689 REFERENCESCITED 2,133,471 The following references are of record in the 213451182file of this patent: 2 2 9 2 UNITED STATES PATENTS m 11 Number Name Date267,748 Hartley Nov. 21, 1882 Number 363,751 Longfellow May 24, 1887853,982

' Name Date Kern Feb. 13, 1894 Browne May 15, 1894 Denson et a1 May 14,1929 LeGrand May 24, 1938 Opperman Oct. 18, 1938 Corber Mar. 28, 1944Scholander Jan. 25, 1949 Robins Oct. 18, 1949 FOREIGN PATENTS CountryDate France Dec. 23, 1939

